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Living Hope SDA Church

Survivors of the Great Controversy

Christian Martin

01 Survivors of the Great Controversy

02 Survivors of the Great Controversy

So as we open the Word of God today, I invite you to bow your heads with me as we pause to ask him to speak to us today.

Our Father in heaven, Lord thank you that you got us through this week.

Thank you, Lord, for waking us up each and every morning.

Thank you for the health that we have at this time.

Enough, Lord, to bring us here to meet with you.

And whether we're here in person, Lord, or whether we're watching online, near and far, we pray that the same Holy Spirit who is able to be in all places at the same time, would minister to our hearts, speak to our hearts, convict us, give us an understanding, Lord, of something that we may need to understand.

So we thank you, Lord, for answering this prayer in Jesus' name, Amen.

Today I begin a two-part sermon series entitled, The Survivors of the Great Controversy.

There are times when an unexpected and even surprising win takes place between 2 rivals.

In fact, just a week ago, Argentina won against Brazil in the Copa America.

So I tried to advance my slides here and a week ago, yeah Argentina, they they went against Brazil and since I'm from Brazil myself, I mean, did I just say that?

Since I'm from Argentina myself, it's okay to say amen.

And during this time, 2 long droughts ended on that day.

Argentina won its first major title since 1993.

And Lionel Messi finally lifted his First major trophy for the national team.

Since beginning to play for them, the win was a long awaited victory for Argentina's captain and star player.

In a career with the national team, which includes until now nothing but losses in 4 World Cups and 5 Copa Américas.

Another showdown that I recall was the Women's World Cup Final back in 2011, about a decade ago.

I still remember it as if it was yesterday.

Japan had lost to the US team 25 consecutive times.

So you can imagine Japan's unbelievable victory in the championship final against the US was what millions around the world did not expect.

Another showdown that I recall is 1 found in the Scriptures.

It's not a showdown of 2 teams in any kind of sport.

You see, there's not a shortage of championship upsets, even controversial ones in the world of sports.

But what I would like to draw our attention to is another type of showdown that is in the unseen realm, otherwise known as the great controversy.

And in the final face-off between Christ and Satan, the outcome will not be unexpected.

So what is the all-time record between the 2?

Let me remind you, lest we forget how He has led us in past history.

If you have your Bibles, if now there's a Bible in your pew pocket, come with me to Revelation.

There in Revelation 12, in that single chapter, we find a record of multiple battles between Christ and Satan.

There in Revelation chapter 12, we find a record of the historical decisive battles between Christ and Satan.

And as we take a Look, we're going to see that there is a pattern, there is a trend that is in our favor.

In 1 instance, Satan is symbolized as a dragon.

And he fights in heaven against Michael and his angels, whose name, Michael, means 1 who is like God.

And then in Revelation 12, verse 4, Satan is pictured as a fiery red dragon who brings down a third of the angels.

Remember, apocalyptic writings are full of symbols, and stars are often a symbol of angels.

And a third of the angels are cast down to the earth with Him.

Whenever the fallen spiritual forces of darkness fall heavy on you, just remember, they're outnumbered.

For every dark fallen angel, yes, there's many of them, but for every dark fallen angel, there are 2 glorious angels of light that excel in strength.

And this is a crucial factor that we need to remember in the last days before the return of Christ and this great controversy.

Do not forget, With Christ, we're with the majority.

And Satan would want you to overlook that, to forget it, when he comes with you with his lies.

And as we come to verses 7 to 9, there in Revelation 12, we're still in Revelation 12, verses 7 to 9, the immediate context, you've got to understand, there's various contexts.

There's the general context, the context of the book of Revelation.

Well, the context of this passage, the immediate context, is victory at the cross of Calvary.

It's referring to the serpent of old, not the fallen angel Lucifer.

This is the serpent of old has been cast down.

The serpent of old has been overcome by the blood, the blood of the Lamb.

Oh yeah, yeah, I mean, that's unmistakably there.

There's flashbacks to that original war in heaven between Michael, 1 who is like God, and the dragon.

You see, make no mistake about it, the cross, the Roman cross, in the spring of AD 31, settled the issues raised by this war that took place before the foundation of the world.

All of these things were settled at the cross.

Issues that had been brought up originally up in heaven with Lucifer.

So that's that way the 2 events are so closely related, you see.

Revelation 12, verses 7 to 9 says, and war broke out in heaven.

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Series

Survivors of the Great Controversy

01 Survivors of the Great Controversy

Transcript

Parent Series

Sponsor

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SWYC 2008 Breakout Sessions

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The Great Controversy, The Great Explanation

The Great Controversy Part 3: Wrapping the Package

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